Diplomatic Events

St. Patrick’s Day came early to Israel, with the annual celebration by the Irish Embassy held on Thursday March 15. Dignitaries and guests, many in green-themed outfits, enjoyed live music and Irish beer in a gala celebration in Tel Aviv.

H.E. Ambassador Alison Kelly opened her remarks by thanking the evening’s co-sponsors, including well-known Irish brands like Guinness. The Ambassador also noted the presence of Irish UN peacekeepers and thanked them for their contributions to peacekeeping around the world. Ambassador mentioned that the municipality building in Tel Aviv, as well as a soccer stadium in Haifa, were lit up green for the evening, showing Israel’s love for Ireland. In closing her remarks, Ambassador Kelly thanked her assistant Alyssa for all her work over the last few years, in anticipation of the latter leaving her post.

Irish Minister of State Mr. Paul Kehoe addressed the audience next, and joined Ambassador Kelly in thanking her assistant, as well as the Irish peacekeepers stationed in Israel. Mr. Kehoe talked about the burgeoning economic and commercial cooperation between Ireland and Israel. The minister expressed his hope that even more areas for business cooperation would open up in coming years. Moving to cultural ties, Mr. Kehoe mentioned Irish authors visiting Israel, and Irish art exhibitions in Israel as examples of the intercultural diplomacy at work bringing the two nations together.

Finally, Mr. Kehoe cited the close cooperation in security and defense matters between Ireland and Israel, as well as the Irish peacekeepers stationed in the Golan Heights. Expressing his satisfaction that the two nations had developed such close and positive ties, he concluded by explaining that on St. Patrick’s Day, “everyone is Irish,” and wishing all the guests a festive celebration.

Deputy Minister for Diplomacy Dr. Michael Oren addressed the crowd on behalf of the government of Israel. In addition to expressing the satisfaction of his own government and nation with their ties and cooperation with Ireland, the deputy minister also talked about his own personal ties. He mentioned his first visit to Ireland and love of the country, as well as an Irish drum that he still plays today. Deputy Minister Oren concluded by wishing all of the guests a happy St. Patrick’s Day.

The national anthems of both countries were then sung, concluding the formal portion of the evening. The band resumed playing Irish music, and many people joined in traditional dancing, including some professional dancers. Throughout the evening photos and information about St. Patrick’s Day celebrations around the world were broadcast onto a screen on the wall, while guests also had the opportunity to create an Irish-themed gif at a photo station.

The distinguished guests included ambassadors and various diplomats, business and cultural leaders, and those with a unique Irish connection, including negotiations expert Lior Frankiensztajn, Vered Swid, former

Director of the Authority for Advancing Women’s Rights, Liel Maghen, Co-Director of the Israel-Palestine: Creative Regional Initiatives (IPCRI), and Brian Maccaba, an Irish Jew based in Jerusalem who works in the cybersecurity and high-tech field.

Diplomacy.co.il wishes Happy St. Patrick’s Day to the Embassy and the people of Ireland.

The new ambassadors to Israel of Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Ghana, Malawi, and South Korea presented their credentials to President of Israel Reuven Rivlin in a formal ceremony at the President's Residence on Monday. The police orchestra played the national anthems of the countries, followed by an IDF honor guard. After each ambassador presented their formal letter to the President, they signed the guest book of the President's Residence. At the closing of the ceremony, Israel’s national anthem, Hatikvah, was played.

The first to present her credentials was H.E. Mrs. Hanna Ama Nyarko, Ghana's incoming ambassador. President Rivlin remarked that "The ties between our countries is excellent, as are the ties between the governments, and I am happy to see them growing even stronger in recent years.” Ambassador Nyarko responded “our ties with Israel are important, and during my time here, I hope to work hard to further strengthen them.”

H.E. Mr. Choi Yonghwan, the incoming ambassador of the Republic of Korea, presented his credentials next. President Rivlin told Ambassador Yonghwan “These are historic days, which may help all those living in conflicts around the world to recognize that the time has come for dialogue,” noting that each country faced its own unique conflict.

The incoming South Korean ambassador thanked the president and said, "I have dreamed of visiting Jerusalem and Israel since,” making the current position “a realization of a dream, and a great honor.”

Referring to future talks between North and South Korea, as well as with the United States, Ambassador Yonghwan remarked that “this year is critical for us” and that “the future talks raise hopes of peace, and we will do our best to achieve success in that regard.”

President Rivlin then greeted H.E. Mr. Mariano A. Caucino, the incoming ambassador of Argentina, extending warm wishes to the Argentinean President. The president said: "We greatly appreciate the present government in Argentina and the current president. We can never forget the terrible attacks that took place in the 1990s against the Jewish community and the Israeli embassy in Argentina, but we must move on and bring the perpetrators to justice, and we appreciate the work of the current government to seek the truth and achieve justice. "

Ambassador Caucino thanked the president for the warm words, and announced that the President of Argentina is hoping to visit Israel as soon as possible, and that they were working on finding a suitable date for the visit.

H.E. Mr. John Newton Guiliani Valenzuela presented his credentials as the incoming ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Israel. President Rivlin welcomed Ambassador Valenzuela, pointing out that ties between their nations predated the vote of the Dominican Republic for Israel’s recognition in 1947. "The Dominican Republic also assisted some 1,000 Jewish refugees during one of the darkest periods of our history, and we will never forget it. For this reason we have a street in Jerusalem named after the Dominican Republic." The President noted that Israel would be happy to deepen cooperation and mutual understanding between the two countries.

The ambassador thanked President Rivlin, adding that the long history of cooperation and support was a testament to the friendship between Israel and the Dominican Republic, and that he hoped to further advance trade agreements and cooperation between the two countries.

Finally, H.E. Mrs. Agrina Mussa, the incoming ambassador of Malawi to Israel, presented her credentials. President Rivlin welcomed Ambassador Mussa, and extended an invitation to the president of Malawi to come to Israel for an agro-tech conference planned for May. The President noted that food security and water are also key global issues, and Israel was proud to be working productively with Malawi on these important issues.

Ambassador Mussa thanked President Rivlin, stating that the two countries have enjoyed strong relations for half a century, and that she hoped to see fair treatment of Israel in various international bodies and forums. President Rivlin in turn thanked the ambassador for her important words, and added that Israel sees the future in Africa, and would love to once again participate in the African Union as an observer state.

Diplomacy.co.il congratulates the incoming ambassadors of Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Ghana, Malawi, and the Republic of Korea and wishes them success in the coming years.

February 2018 – The Philippines once again participated in the 24th International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM) held at the Tel Aviv Convention Center on 06-07 February 2018. This year’s delegation from the Department of Tourism was headed by Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo. Twelve Philippine tour operators and hotel representatives joined the DOT delegation in promoting Philippine tourism in Israel.

This year, the Philippines was a silver sponsor of the IMTM with one of the largest and most attractive pavilions in the annual tourism fair, considered the largest in the Eastern Mediterranean.

“Israeli tourist arrivals to the Philippines grew by 98% from a mere figure of 8,776 in 2014 to 17,446 in 2017. Israel continues to be a valued market for Philippine tourism,” said Ambassador Imperial.

The DOT has been participating in the IMTM since 2016 and has conducted two Familiarization tours for major Israeli tour operators. “Total tourist arrivals to the Philippines reached 6.6million in 2017, and Israel is a growing tourism market for the Philippines in the Middle East,” according to Secretary Teo.

Secretary Teo also met with Israel Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin and discussed ways to further promote two-way tourism.

Secretary Teo hosted a Philippine Tourism Gala Night on 08 February 2018 at the Grand Ballroom of Hilton Tel Aviv which was attended by the diplomatic corps, Israeli travel and tour operators, businessmen, PR/media outfits and the Filipino community.

Guests in the IMTM and Philippine Tourism night were wowed by the performance of multi-awarded Sindaw performers with their rendition of original Filipino music and the traditional dance of the members of the Association of Igorot Migrant Workers in Israel.

Ambassador Neal Imperial and Department of Tourism’s Head of Strategic Development Unit, Mr. Francisco Lardizabal, with DOT and Embassy officials, Israeli participants to the Familiarization Tour to the Philippines and tour operators from the Philippines, formally open the Philippine pavilion at the 2018 IMTM.

Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo with Ambassador Neal Imperial at the Philippine booth during the 24th International Mediterranean Tourism Market.

Internationally-awarded Sindaw performers impressed the guests in the IMTM and Philippine Tourism Night with their rendition of original Filipino music

The Department of Tourism in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv hosted a Philippine Tourism Night attended by Israeli tour operators and media, members of the diplomatic corps, businessmen, PR/media outfits and the Filipino community.

On Thursday March 1 the Embassy of Bulgaria in Tel Aviv marked its National Day with an especially festive celebration coinciding with the Jewish holiday of Purim. Diplomats and those with personal and commercial ties to Bulgaria convened at the Dan Hotel in Tel Aviv to mark the occasion.

After the singing of both countries’ anthems, Honorary Consul Moni Bar opened the formal portion of the event by talking about the success of the Bulgarian aliya, which included Bar himself along with his family. Bar also served as the emcee for the event.

H.E. Ambassador Dimitar Mihaylov then addressed the crowd in his impeccable Hebrew, quoting Theodor Herzl and applying Herzl’s words to the diplomatic ties between Bulgaria and Israel today. Ambassador Mihaylov cited upcoming high-level diplomatic visits, including the first by Bulgarian President Radev since becoming president, who is expected to meet the president and prime minister of Israel, as well as visiting Yad Vashem, and delivering a speech at the 6th international conference to combat anti-Semitism.

In June the prime minister of Bulgaria is expected to arrive for a series of meetings with Israeli political leaders regarding cooperation and bilateral ties. Prime Minister Borissov will attend the dedication of a monument to the saving of Bulgarian Jewry during the Holocaust. The monument will be placed in Tel Aviv, and matches one recently installed in Bulgaria. During his visit the prime minister is also expected to meet with 3,000 Israelis of Bulgarian heritage at the Cultural Hall in Tel Aviv. Ambassador Mihaylov also noted that more than 5 Bulgarian ministers have visited or are expected to visit Israel during the year, and he also cited an upcoming Israeli delegation to Bulgaria, led by Knesset member Eitan Broshy, as well as a delegation of Bulgarian Israelis, which will take part in the events planned to celebrate the saving of Bulgarian Jewry during World War II, while also commemorating the murder of more than 11, 300 Jews from Macedonia and Thrace in the Treblinka concentration camp.

Member of Knesset and deputy minister of public diplomacy Dr. Michael Oren addressed the crowd on behalf of the Israeli government, noting Ambassador Mihaylov’s fluent Hebrew skills. Dr. Oren spoke of the past, present and future ties between Bulgaria and Israel. Regarding the past, he noted how Bulgarian Jews were saved during the Holocaust, and then the emigration to Israel of approximately 90% of the Jewish community shortly after the founding of the state. Dr. Oren mentioned the present, citing excellent cooperation between the two countries in a range of fields, including economics, trade, and tourism, and the various high-level political and diplomatic visits. Finally Dr. Oren turned to the future, detailing potentials for Bulgarian-Israeli cooperation in the hi-tech industry, and mutual concerns for stability in the face of a rise in far-right neo-Nazi support across Europe, Bulgaria’s upcoming role as president of the European Union

Member of Knesset Eitan Broshi spoke next. He talked of the treaty of peace and cooperation between Israel and Bulgaria that Bulgarian emigrants to Israel helped to create. Mr. Broshi talked of the shared interests and cooperation between the two nations, noting that in two years they would mark 70 years of diplomatic ties. Mr. Broshi listed trade and security as some of the areas for strong binational partnerships, and expressed his hope for increased cooperation in the field of agriculture and water conservation. Mr. Broshi explained that as the Knesset member in charge of the parliamentary friendship association between Bulgaria and Israel, he would be traveling to Bulgaria shortly to represent Israel and participate in the commemorative events there.

Following the speeches, guests enjoyed catered dinner at the hotel. The distinguished guests at the celebration included many diplomats and military attaches, as well as former Ambassador of Israel to Bulgaria David Cohen; former Ambassador of Israel to Bulgaria Avraham (Avi) Sharon; Israeli ambassador Yitzhak Eldan, head of the Israeli School for Young Ambassadors; Itzhak Lipovetzky, President of the Israel-Bulgaria Friendship association; Philippe Guillien, French language attache and course director at the Institut Francais; Stephen Abrahams, from the Ministry of National Infrastructures Energy and Water Resources, and Yona Bartal, Representative of The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation.

In the beginning of February, the Bulgarian Minister of Tourism, Nikolina Angelkova, visited Israel to participated in the annual IMTM tourism exhibition. Minister Angelkova’s visit also included meeting with the relevant Israeli counterparts and offices.

Diplomacy.co.il wishes congratulations to the Embassy of Bulgaria on its national day celebration and upcoming events.

The Lithuanian embassy celebrated 100 years of restored historical Lithuania in style with a concert and reception at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art on Wednesday evening. The evening kicked off a lineup of celebratory events that will last all year and include discussions, art and photo exhibitions, concerts, and dance and theater performances.

The ambassador of Lithuania to Israel, H.E. Mr. Edminas Bagdonas, opened the evening. Ambassador Bagdonas pointed out that although they were celebrating a centennial, historica Lithuania was actually much older, dating to the 13th century. Wearing a traditional Lithuanian outfit himself, the ambassador described national pride in Lithuania, in the form of its national language, clothing and customs, or accomplishments.

Ambassador Bagdonas highlighted the success of Lithuanian Jews, including several prominent statesmen, and courageous Jewish soldiers who fought for Lithuanian independence. He also mentioned the horrors of the Holocaust, and the need to acknowledge the historical injustices committed by individuals and nations during those dark days. In that regard the ambassador mentioned the public apology of the president of Lithuania at the Israeli Knesset in 1995 for Nazi collaboration by Lithuanians during World War II.

Speaking on behalf of the Israeli government, Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotoveli cited the commonalities between Israel and Lithuania as relatively young democracies who fought for their independence. Minister Hotoveli discussed the rich heritage of the Lithuanian Jewish community, and expressed appreciation for efforts by the Lithuanian government to preserve and rehabilitate Jewish heritage sites, as well as educating about the community, which was largely destroyed during World War II. Hotoveli finished by congratulating Lithuania on its centennial celebration, and offering blessings for a successful and prosperous future.

Singer Nika Zundelovitch performed the national anthems of both Lithuania and Israel. After the anthems, award-winning accordionist Martynas Levickis took the stage. His concert, titled “Woodspirit,” included pieces from Sweden, Finland, Italy, Latvia, and of course Lithuania, and ranged from the classical to the contemporary. Levickis also included several of his own compositions, and included explanations of the music and their composers in his performance.

Following the concert, guests enjoyed a delicious reception, including imported Lithuanian specialties. Among the many distinguished at the evening were Ambassador Meron Reuven, chief of protocol for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vered Swid, Director of the Authority for Advancing Women’s Rights, and Stephen Abrahams, from the Ministry of National Infrastructures Energy and Water Resources.

Diplomacy.co.il wishes congratulations to the Embassy of Lithuania in Tel Aviv on the occasion of the centennial of restored Lithuania.